According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, more than 90% of poisonings happen in the home. Almost anything can be poisonous if used in the wrong way, wrong amount, or by the wrong person. You might think the majority of calls poison control gets are for children. But did you know that just under half of the calls are about children? The other half is for teens, adults, and older adults. These poisonings are often more severe. Look for potential poisons throughout your home and store them safely to help prevent poisonings. Any items that could cause a reaction should be stored in their original containers and out of sight of children. You can also install childproof locks on your cabinets to ensure your kids don’t go exploring and find anything potentially toxic. Be sure to keep the poison helpline, 1 (800) 222-1222, saved in your phone or display it somewhere in your home and at work.

Sometimes it is necessary to get rid of medication, whether it’s because it is expired or you no longer need it. To dispose of them at home, remove the drugs from their original containers and mix them used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter in something you can close (a sandwich bag, empty can, or other containers). This makes it less appealing to children and pets and unrecognizable to someone who might intentionally go through the trash looking for drugs. You can then throw this in the trash. Did you find a pill you don't recognize? Use webPoisonControls' pill ID to figure out what it is.

In honor of Animal Care Appreciation Week, we wanted to give you a glimpse into just a fraction of what Karl, our Animal Care Officer, does. The purpose of an Animal Care Officer is to provide a safe and healthy environment within the city for both animals and people. Karl has a genuine concern for the safety and well-being of domesticated and non-domesticated animals in the city. He always tries his hardest to return stray animals to their homes and prevent them from heading to the shelter. In 2020 only 30 out of 101 reported stray animals were taken to the shelter, and in 2021 only 40 of 170 were taken.

Animal Care Officers aren't just "dog catchers", either. They take care of any animal issue that may come up. This includes other wildlife issues that come up, offering solutions that keep both the animal and the resident happy and safe.

In honor of Public Safety Telecommunicator Appreciation Week, we wanted to spotlight some of the things our telecommunicators do. Our Telecommunicators handle all 911 calls, Police radio communications, administrative calls, and walk-in complainants or victims on an average day. For 2020, our telecommunicators created over 20,000 calls for service, and in 2021 they created over 22,400 calls for service. These calls are not easy tasks and can quickly go from zero to ninety, depending on the call volume. The telecommunications team is also tasked with answering after-hours calls for water, sewer, and street issues, ensuring the correct staff responds. It takes a very special person to fill the role as a Telecommunicator, and we have some of the best.

We want to thank our telecommunicators for all the sacrifices they make to create a better and safer world for the public and our community.

Earth Day is observed every year on April 22nd. It’s a day to honor the Earth and is marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national, and local policy changes. Below are ten ways you can help achieve a healthier planet:

The City Council will meet in person and virtually for their monthly City Council Meeting.

The meeting agenda and packet can be found online here. Para la agenda en español, visite este sitio web, aqui.

The telephone and video meeting will be hosted through GoToMeeting. The City has set up a section on our website to provide instructions on how to both view and submit a public comment for the meeting and navigate the virtual event. The access code and toll-free number will be provided in the agenda.

Public comment will only be allowed via telephone or video conference via GoToMeeting if choosing to attend remotely. All speakers must register to speak at least two hours in advance of the meeting. All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting under the public comment item. Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting starting in order to speak. Written comments may also be submitted two hours in advance of the meeting. To register to speak or to submit written comments, please email the City Secretary, Misty Cryer.

An audio recording of the virtual meeting will be made available to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act upon written request.

City Offices will be closed on April 15th for Good Friday. Solid Waste will run as normal.

Bulk/Brush Day is April 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5158 South 12th Street, Robinson, TX. City staff will NOT be available to help place bulk items in the containers so make sure to bring enough help to get items in the 40-yard roll-off.

Reminder: customers have the option to set bulk/brush items at their curb to be collected weekly, during their normal collection day. For hazardous materials, customers may use the At Your Door Special Hazardous Waste Collection offered monthly with their Waste Management services.

For more information on the jobs, and to apply, visit our website.

The Waco-McLennan County Mobile Library will be offering Kids Books, Teen Books, Adult Books, Audiobooks & more at Peplow Park every third Tuesday! Be sure to give them a visit on April 19th between 3 and 4:30 p.m.

You will be able to use your Library Card to check out a book or audiobook. Don't have a library card? Don't worry! You can bring your I.D. and proof of residency and they'll get you all set up! (For more info about proof of residency documents, check out their website).

If you have questions about the Waco Library, visit their website. If you have questions about the Pop Up Library, email jessicae@wacotx.gov.

The Robison Area Lion's Club would like to invite local veterans and a guest to attend their Veterans Pancake Breakfast at Peplow Park on Saturday, April 23rd. Breakfast will be served between 8 and 10 a.m. and includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, orange juice, and milk. They request you RSVP by contacting Linda Sanders at 254-881-1821. There is no cost for this event.

The Baker Neighborhood Group and Golinda Church of Christ donated an overwhelming 325 pounds to Pack of Hope on February 20th. The Pack of Hope organization packs food for children who may have a food shortage on weekends, providing kids in Robinson ISD extra snacks over the weekend. They would like to express their appreciation for these donations.

Beginning April 1st, Robinson ISD will offer their annual Pre-K and Kinder Round-Up. This is to determine numbers and help plan for the 2022-2023 school year. Please complete a form for each child enrolling in Robinson ISD for Pre-K or Kinder for the 2022-2023 school year here (Filling out the form will not complete registration, it is only to provide initial information to help Robinson ISD plan).

Communications: communications@robinsontexas.org

Utilities: utilities@robinsontexas.org

Dispatch: dispatch@robinsontexas.org

Permits/Inspections: j.french@robinsontexas.org

Code Compliance: m.brownlow@robinsontexas.org

Municipal Court: court@robinsontexas.org